Choosing the best game for a 2012 49ers group tailgate

We’re throwing a little launch party shindig on Wednesday, May 9. It’s at The Boardroom in San Francisco, and anyone who reads BASG and wants to hang out and watch the Giants face the Dodgers in Chavez Hole is welcome. Should be a fun party, and at least two of our contributors (Kyle McLorg and Scott Willis) should be there. We’ll also be giving away BASG koozies to anyone who pays for their first beer in cash ($3).

Maybe since it’s Friday and I’m getting ready to meet my buddy Sean and watch tonight’s Giants game as a fan (instead of from the press box), all this talk about parties got me thinking. I, like many of you out there, love to go to football games. Let’s expand that. I love to go to 49ers games very early and tailgate for several hours leading up to the game, then walk to the gate with a full stomach and the mindset that savagely destroying my vocal cords while the 49ers are on defense is a splendid, logical idea.

If you’re with me on this, I have a little idea. If you’re interested in this idea, let me know in the comments. If there’s enough feedback that leads me to believe this would be a popular idea, I’ll start planning it. I’m going to need you to show interest though, because this is going to take a lot of time, planning and setup on my end.

I’m thinking about planning a 49ers tailgate extravaganza at the stadium that’s on borrowed time: Candlestick Park. That means getting to the game early, setting up barbecues, tables, coolers and all the rest, and going to town until 45 minutes or so before kickoff. Then we’ll all walk as a TEAM into the FORTRESS and show the 49ers (and in the process, their opponents) that we’re loudly behind the best defense in the NFL.

Still with me?

To set forth on this mission, we need to pick a game. Let’s check out the home schedule, shall we?

Week 2: Sunday, September 16 vs. Detroit (5:20 pm)

Week 5: Sunday, October 7 vs. Buffalo (1:15 pm)

Week 6: Sunday, October 14 vs. NY Giants (1:15 pm)

Week 7: Thursday, October 18 vs. Seattle (5:20 pm)

Week 10: Sunday, November 11 vs. St. Louis (1:15 pm)

Week 11: Monday, November 19 vs. Chicago (5:30 pm)

Week 14: Sunday, December 9 vs. Miami (1:05 pm)

Week 17: Sunday, December 30 vs. Arizona (1:15 pm)

Everyone is going to have an opinion on this, so let me throw my rankings out there and see what people think.

Third choice: Week 5 vs. Buffalo

As you’ll see, my preference is to do this early in the season, when San Francisco’s weather is gorgeous. Plus, while the Thursday and Monday games would be fun, it’s tough to expect a lot of people to take off work and show up in the middle of a weekday. Buffalo isn’t exactly a marquee opponent, but that could be an advantage in terms of everyone getting (cheaper) tickets.

Second choice: Week 6 vs. NY Giants

I don’t need to build this game up, we all know what happened last year. The weather should be solid, the game could be a classic. Pretty much a no-brainer, except tickets will be very tough to come by.

First choice: Week 2 vs. Detroit

Whether or not this is the choice for a “BASG Group Tailgate” (if we even have one), I’m going to this game. That’s all there is to it, I’m f%$#!@ going. Home opener. Jim Schwartz vs. Jim Harbaugh. Peak of San Francisco’s Indian Summer. Late start, which means we don’t have to set up camp in the morning (actually, it’s probably a good idea that we don’t so nobody gets too crazy).

Those are my choices, what are yours? This doesn’t have to be an official, regimented party situation with evites, and this is more about the tailgate than anything else (so we don’t necessarily have to sit together while watching the game). Still, the more the merrier. So if you’re down, I’ll start planning once we choose a game.

About the Author

BASG (Steve Berman) and his wife started Bay Area Sports Guy in 2008, and now it's the No. 1 independent website covering Bay Area sports. You can follow him @BASportsGuy and on Facebook.

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Live in NYC. Makin the trip for that game. From a time stand point this one makes most sense to be honest. Get the TV's goin with the early games on etc... Plus it's out 1st sunday night game ever and home opener!!! Eeesh I hate the offseason...

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